Clamp.



J. R. MILLER.

CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1913.

1,085,353, Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

JI/Zmf Inventor Witnesses 4 by Z Attorneys UNIT l STATES PATNT OFFTCE.

JAMES R. MILLER, OF MGR-AB, GEORGIA.

CLAMP.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I. James R. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at McRae in the county of Telfair and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Clamp. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in clamps and more particularly to that class of clamps adapted to secure the elements of a quilting frame in adjusted positions.

in object of the present invention is to provide a clamp which may be quickly and easily moved into adjusted position and to rigidly engage the movable portion of a quilting frame.

A further object is to provide a clamp embodying a spring member and a lever pivotally supported thereabove and provided with an end face contacting with the said spring member and adapted to force the same into frictional engagement with the portions of a quilting frame.

lVit-h the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds. the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part thereof the preferable form of my invention is illustrated in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved clamp with portions of a quilting frame in engagement therewith. Fig. 2 is a side View thereof with one of the side plates removed. Fig. 3 is a front View thereof.

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views 1 and 2 are the frame members which are to be adjustably clamped together and which constitute the sides and ends of a quilting frame or other structure. The cheek or side plates 3 are disposed in parallel relation and held a distance apart in excess of the width of the frame members by the posts i. As illustrated in Fig. 2 there are three of these spacing posts 4, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 14, 1913.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

Serial No. 767,679.

vertical distance between these posts being suilicicntto allow the passage of the frame member 1 therebetween. The posts 4 are arranged with two thereof disposed at the lower corners of the cheek plates and a third post thereabove and approximately central of the same taken with respect to the horizontal. The frame 1 is adapted to extend between the upper post and the two lower ones and to be slidably engaged thereby, the posts holding the clamp in proper relation to the said frame member 1.

The cheek plates 23 extend above or beyond the frame member 1 for a considerable distance and to the upper front portion thereof is secured the pivot post 5 to which is rotatably or loosely secured the spring member 6. The spring member 6 comprises a straight shank 7 which extends approximately parallel to the plane of the bar or frame member 1 when the clamp is in a locked position. The forward end of the spring member is curled as at- 8 and engages the post 5 for the free rotation thereon. The rear portion of the shank 7 extends beyond the cheek plates and the extreme end thereof is bent upwardly as at 9 to form a stop for the clamping lever 10 which is mounted thereabove.

The clamping lever 10 is pivotally secured to the upper central portion of the cheek plates by means of the pivotal posts 11 and the said pivoted end of the clamping lever is provided with the cam face 12 so that when the clamping lever 10 is brought downwardly the cam face 12 thereof contacts with the shank 7 of the spring member to force the same into rigid and frictional engagement with the frame bar 2. By means of the cam face 12 as described the force brought to bear upon the frame bar 2 forcing the same into frictional engagement with the frame bar 1 may be varied, the extreme or limit being when the clamping lever 10 is in contact with the upturned end 9 of the spring member. The clamping lever is provided with the outer bent handle 13 which affords means whereby the lever may be readily gripped and easily manipulated.

Rigidly secured to the cheek plates 3 and outstanding therefrom are the hook members l-fl, the same comprising means whereby articlcs may be secured thereto and stretched prior to the sewing of the same to frame bar. quilt lining being an example of an article to be so treated. The hook-shaped members 14 are rigidly secured to the cheek plates 3 and outstand therefrom and are positioned adjacent the lower edges thereof, the object being to keep the articles secured thereto beneath the frame member 2.

The shape of the cheek plates is of importance and comprises an upper curved portion and an elongated lower portion, the

- upper and lower portions meeting in a point lying below the upper surface within the clamp. This construction allows the frame bar 2 to contact with the edges of the cheek plates and to be positioned above the spacing and supporting post 4. By the so positioning of the bar 2, the stress which is brought to bear in a downward direction upon the bar 2 by means of the spring member 7 passes between the lower supporting and spacing posts 4 which therefore draws the said posts 4: against the lower surface of the bar 1 and does not tend to tilt the entire clamp about either of the lower supporting posts t which would bring the upper post 4L into engagement with the top surface and tend to throw the entire clamp out of alinement.

Having thus fully described the invention what I claim is 1. A clamp comprising side plates, two spacing posts rigidly secured to the said side plates adjacent the lower corners thereof, a third spacing post positioned above the lineof said lower spacing posts, the three spacing posts forming a guide for the insertion therethrough of a. frame bar, a spring member pivotally secured to the said side plates and extending beyond the edges thereof, the free end thereof adapted to engage a second frame bar which is positioned upon the first mentioned frame bar, the outer free end of the said spring member upturned, and a clamping lever with a pivoted cam faced end supported above the said spring member adapted to contact therewith intermediate the ends thereof, the said clamping lever adapted to contact with the upturned end of the said spring member which forms a limit for the rotation in one direction thereof.

2. The combination with the side and end bars of a frame, of a clamp including spaced parallel cheek plates, spacing guide posts rigidly secured to the said side plates adjacent the lower extremity thereof, the lower portion of said cheek plates elongated and adapted to receive therethrough one of the said frame bars, a spring member pivotally secured between the said cheek plates and extending beyond the edges thereof and adapted to contact with the second mentioned bar which is positioned upon the first mentioned bar above one of the guide and supporting posts of the elongated cheek plate portions, a clamping lever provided with a cam shaped pivoted end supported above the said spring member and adapted to contact therewith to force the same clownward into forced engagement with the second mentioned bar and adapted to hold the bars in adjusted and rigid relation, means disposed upon the sides of the said cheek plates adapted to secure articles thereto.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES R. MILLER. Vitnesses R. OBERLEY,

J. F. Coon.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. v 

